What is your idea of what a rosacea non profit should be doing?

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What is your idea of what a rosacea non profit organization or a not for profit organization should be doing? Many have a poor understanding of what a non profit or not for profit organization is or how it operates and usually have a misunderstanding or very fuzzy concept of what these type of organizations should be doing. This post is to help clear up the confusion. If you are a rosacean who is interested in volunteering this is a good post for you to educate yourself on how non profits function or operate. 

If you note the title of this post it is asked to stimulate your thinking and and reply to this topic. What are your thoughts on this subject?

So lets focus first on what you think a ROSACEA non profit organization should be doing and then we can discuss the nuances and caveats of non profit vs not for profit organizations. 

Rosacea Non Profit Organizations

Rosaceans have changed over the years. In 2004 when the RRDi was founded, the rosaceans in 2004 really wanted to become united and do something about rosacea. Today, current rosaceans want to gather together in social media private groups like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit and discuss what they do about rosacea and do absolutely nothing about uniting together into a non profit organization for rosacea to sponsor research or have any influence on the medical community as patients suffering from this affliction (a patient advocacy organization).

There are basically four currently active non profit organizations for rosacea (see Other Non Profit Rosacea Organizations). The RRDi is the only grassroots non profit organization out of the four founded by rosacea sufferers. The other three non profit rosacea organizations are top down non profits organized by non rosaceans who are businessmen or dermatologists with a small percentage spent on rosacea research. 

Since the RRDi is the only current and active rosacea non profit founded by those who suffer from rosacea in contrast to the other rosacea non profit organizations founded by businessmen and dermatologists, have you ever really investigated how the three other spend the donation/revenue?  The RRDi has investigated the AARS, the NRS, and the ARSC. These three rosacea non profit organizations spend the majority of the donations/revenue primarily to benefit businessmen and dermatologists. 

Do you think that rosacea sufferers should unite together and sponsor their own rosacea research and have a voice that speaks for those who suffer from rosacea to speak to the medical community in a rosacea non profit organization?  

So does anybody care what a rosacea non profit organization should be doing about rosacea? What are your thoughts? Do you know anything about what the four rosacea non profit organizations are doing about rosacea? Could you discuss this or if you have questions about any of this? If you carefully look, you will find a REPLY TO THIS TOPIC button to comment or ask a question. 

Non Profit vs Not for Profit Organizations

For example, what is the difference between a nonprofit and a not-for-profit organization? Yes, there is a difference. Wikipedia explains, "Nonprofit and not-for-profit are terms that are used similarly, but do not mean the same thing. Both are organizations that do not make a profit, but may receive an income to sustain their missions. The income that nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations generate is used differently. Nonprofit organizations return their income back to the organization if they generate extra income. Not-for-profits use their excess money to pay their members who do work for them. Another difference between nonprofit organizations and not-for-profit organizations is their membership. Nonprofits have volunteers or employees who do not receive any money from the organization's fundraising efforts. They may earn a salary for their work that is independent from the money the organization has fundraised. Not-for-profit members have the opportunity to benefit from the organization's fundraising efforts."

However, whether an organization is a nonprofit or a not-for-profit based upon the above paragraph can get really fuzzy and the lines are not easily drawn. Sometimes the information on the internet offered to explain the differences between a non profit and a not for profit organization is conflicting, so the bottom line is what the Internal Revenue Service has to say on this subject or in a court of law. But we can discuss this subject here in this post and hope you are stimulated enough to enter the discussion. 

Could you please reply to this topic by hitting the REPLY TO THIS TOPIC button and post your comment on this subject? It would be incredible if volunteers would take the time to investigate how non profits work and input some thoughts on this subject. In the meantime, here are some investigative material for your consideration to meditate on when it comes to the subject, Non Profit vs Not for Profit. 

Non Profit Organization

"A nonprofit organization is one that qualifies for tax-exempt status by the IRS because its mission and purpose are to further a social cause and provide a public benefit. Nonprofit organizations include hospitals, universities, national charities and foundations. To qualify as a nonprofit, your business must serve the public good in some way. Nonprofits do not distribute profit to anything other than furthering the advancement of the organization. As such, you will be required to make your financial and operating information public so that donors can see how their contributions are being used. An individual or business that makes a donation to a nonprofit is allowed to deduct their donation from their tax return. The nonprofit, likewise, pays no taxes on any money received through fundraising." [1]

One websites says, "a nonprofit company can, in fact, operate as a not-for-profit organization." [2]

An example of a non profit organization is any non profit designated 501 c 3. [3]

Not for Profit Organization

"Similar to a nonprofit, a not-for-profit organization (NFPO) is one that does not earn profit for its owners. All money earned through pursuing business activities or through donations goes right back into running the organization. However, not-for-profits are not required to operate for the benefit of the public good. A not-for-profit can simply serve the goals of its members. A good example is a sports club; the purpose of the club is to exist for its members’ enjoyment. These organizations must apply for tax-exempt status from the IRS, including exemptions from sales tax and property taxes. That also means that money donated by an individual to an NFPO cannot be deducted on that person’s tax return." [1]

One website says, "a not for profit company can't function as a non-profit company." [2]

An example of a not for profit organization is any non profit designated 501 c 6. [4]

Common Interests

Both non profit and not for profit organizations are referred to as NGOs. 

"Both types of organizations are operated with the intent to raise money or awareness for a particular cause or group rather than to increase profits and money for the business's shareholders...Not-for-profit and nonprofit companies both use their income to help those in need." [2]

"The IRS classifies various types of organizations, events, and activities as either nonprofit or not-for-profit." [2]

"Although both companies can make money from their various activities and fundraising initiatives, these funds must [be] used for additional charity work or reinvested to further the company's operations. No profits will be distributed to any members, directors, or trustees." [2]

Et Cetera

How Non Profits Work

Comparing Non Profit Organizations with their Mission

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End Notes

[1] Nonprofit vs. Not-for-Profit vs. For-Profit: What's the Difference?, Emily Heaslip, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

[2] Not for Profit vs Nonprofit: Everything You Need to Know, UpCounsel

[3] "An organization will be regarded as operated exclusively for one or more exempt purposes only if it engages primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of such exempt purposes specified in section 501(c)(3). An organization will not be so regarded if more than an insubstantial part of its activities is not in furtherance of an exempt purpose." 
Comparing 501(c)(3) vs. 501(c)(6) for Nonprofit Startups, Gene Takagi, NEO Law Group, Non Profit Law Blog

Well known non profit organizations are the United Way, The American Cancer Society (Group), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Red Cross, and the list goes on and on. 

[4] "A [501(c)(6)] business league is an association of persons having some common business interest, the purpose of which is to promote such common interest and not to engage in a regular business of a kind ordinarily carried on for profit. It is an organization of the same general class as a chamber of commerce or board of trade. Thus, its activities should be directed to the improvement of business conditions of one or more lines of business as distinguished from the performance of particular services for individual persons."
Comparing 501(c)(3) vs. 501(c)(6) for Nonprofit Startups, Gene Takagi, NEO Law Group, Non Profit Law Blog

The more famous 501 (c) 6 organizations are the American Medical Association, the PGA Tour (over $1 Billion in Revenue), the Professional Golfers Association, and some sports organizations like the US Polo Association, and the National Football League (the NFL was a 501 (c) 6 from 1942 through 2015 and announced that it would henceforth be a for profit organization), as well as Major League Baseball, which dropped it's long history as a non profit in 2007. Other 501 (c) 6 non profit organizations include the American Dental Association, American Petroleum Institute, Edison Electric Institute, American Beverage Association, National Association of Home Builders of the United States, Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc., the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, American Nurses Association, Inc., and Association of American Railroads. There are hundreds of others you can browse through.